Insect bites turned into boils/pustules

[ACJane]

I have had a number of insect bites over the last few weeks (maybe 8 in total) and over this time five have turned into pus filled pustules (sorry tmi...) - see the image. The scab to the right is one which did eventually deflate on its own.

I attended the local walk-in earlier in the week as three of them were causing me discomfort and I wanted to check they were not infected. The nurse drained them and cut the expanded skin away - these are still pretty sore three days on and still "red raw". She and the doctor she called in for a second opinion were confident they were not infected but she couldn't say what had caused them to go like this.

Now I have a new one which developed a couple of days after the bite itself occurred. I can't face another three hours waiting in the walk-in if I can avoid it. Will it eventually burst? It is uncomfortable but not painful.
Do I need to get this one lanced too?

Also what could have caused this reaction?

I have another one and the boil thing is even bigger. It seems to be called a bullous insect bite reaction. Had an online GP appointment and she referred me to a consultant dermatologist but the first appointment is three weeks away.

Anyone got any further advice from previous similar experiences?
I am using deet daily now, taking antihistamines but still something got me a few days ago and it has reacted.

Dog treated for fleas and house (hopefully) in case it is that.
It is meaning I can barely walk and certainly can't exercise which although not the end of the world is not great and I don't think I will sleep much as the boil burns and it hurts more if I accidentally move and have it touch the mattress in my sleep.

Deet isn't some miricle chemical, it's region/subspecies specific, just particularly good against many mosquitos carrying malaria. So if you're still being bitten get a different/additional insect repellant.

Carpet fleas? We had an awful outbreak once at the hotel restaurant where I worked. Staff suffered especially

Mine go like this, I have had 3 lots of antibiotics in 3 months. I'm at my wits end With them

I have so much sympathy for you ACJane as I react in a similar way to you although they've never bulged with fluid quite so much. My body over-reacts to Mosquito bites and horsefly bites and I spend a lot of days afterwards with cold flannels on the affected areas, sometimes with ice wrapped inside trying to keep the inflammation down! Any cream on the skin makes it much much worse, as does applying plasters to keep the boil thing covered as I discovered to my cost!

My brother gets bitten very easily and swears by increased B vitamins - its not B6 but one of the lesser known ones maybe 12? If he takes these tablets regularly then he doesn't get bitten.

@wildeatheart I actually thought that was my leg and my photo. It looks exactly like that.

Are your doctors lancing them or leaving them alone?

I have had some lanced but then the healing takes over a week of the little wound.

I have a GP appointment later.

I've sprayed flea spray but still don't know what it is for sure. Crossing fingers that I have not had any new actual bites for five or so days (the boils seem to appear after 2-3 days).

Good point about deet - I will try something new.

There are worse things but this has been going on a month and I'm completely fed up of it.

Glad I picked up on this thread. I’ve been in the South of France and been bitten by mozzies. Got bitten v badly in Italy two years ago but no bullous reaction like this time. Have yours gone down now OP?

OH stepped into a wasps nest two days ago only one bad sting the other mild. His arm swelled up hugely, turned bright red. Luckily we had some strong antihistamines in the house.

Ouch justas…sounds grim and hope he is ok now?

Allfur, hope yours start to subside soon. lanacane seems best for the itching, or eurax hc if not.

Here, the one on my calf got huge and the blister postule was about 2.5cm it burst (gross…) and then was a little sore for a few days. Not sure if I will have light scars from some of the ones where the nurses cut skin away.

So I thought that was the end of this but have three new bites today and am just hoping they don’t develop…

Sorry I just seen this reply, the dr said don't lance it however a nurse I work with suggested I did. It wasn't pleasant!

How are your bites now?